Special Events Manager

Job Description

This role provides a fantastic opportunity for an experienced and talented special events expert to become a key part of the charity’s high-performing and ambitious Partnerships and Philanthropy Team.
The successful candidate will lead, shape and implement our annual special events programme, which includes fundraising, cultivation and stewardship activities designed to meet the wider needs of the Partnerships & Philanthropy Team.

You will join a collaborative and supportive organisation that has been recognised as the most inspiring not-for-profit workplace at the Inspiring Workplaces EMEA Awards 2022 (7th overall across all workplaces) and been recognised by Best Companies as the 9th best charity to work for in the UK.

To succeed, you will have a strong track record in events management with demonstrable experience in high-value events. You will thrive in the hustle and bustle of the busy events season and will use the quieter times to reflect, scope the sector, learn and innovate.

Key Responsibilities

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

• Shape and implement a comprehensive and exciting special events programme to successfully drive the development and growth of our engagement, stewardship, and fundraising activities
• Liaise directly with senior internal and external stakeholders to ensure all of our events are of the highest quality
• Lead in the design and delivery of new, innovative events which will help deliver the ambitious income growth we are targeting in our strategy
• Be responsible for operational planning, budgeting, management and reporting activities
• Evaluating income and expenditure, ensuring the events programme is delivered to time and within budget
• Establish rigorous approaches to ensure the effective planning, management and post-event evaluation for all events
• Develop strong relationships with external suppliers to ensure excellent delivery and the best possible return on investment
• Constantly scan the environment and the charity sector to ensure we are delivering the best possible experience for our supporters, are aware of new opportunities and are able to deliver a market-leading events programme
• Ensure all relevant interactions with event invitees and attendees are recorded on our CRM
• Set and monitor individual and team KPIs

THINGS WE ALL DO

• Promote Blood Cancer UK’s vision, mission and core values
• We’re all fundraisers. This is slightly different for all roles, and your team will have fundraising KPIs and objectives we all work to
• Attend and assist at Blood Cancer UK events and activities as required (NB: this involves evening and weekend work)
• Be an effective ambassador for Blood Cancer UK at any activity you attend
• Develop an in-depth understanding of our work
• Follow the principles of LEAN and continuous improvement
• All staff are expected to adhere to Blood Cancer UK’s policies and procedures
• Do any other reasonable things your manager needs you to do

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Demonstrable experience of delivering a broad range of high-quality bespoke activity from large-scale complex events to intimate private dinners
• Demonstrable experience of strategic planning, and of the delivery and management of complex event plans and budgets
• Ability to build relationships and work collaboratively; consulting others, sharing expertise and knowledge with colleagues for best results
• Experience of shaping and implementing an events strategy with the ability to lead, motivate and inspire others
• Ability to influence and negotiate with internal and external stakeholders
• Ability to react calmly, confident and professionally to the inherent unpredictably of events
• Ability to work well under pressure and to multiple deadlines across a number of events